Tiny Core Linux
General TC => Programming & Scripting - Unofficial => Topic started by: MikeLockmoore on May 04, 2011, 12:54:14 PM
-
EDIT 2012.03.31: Updated title to refer to ideas to be used after the upcoming minor update.
To keep the TCB Bugs thread more focused on, you know, bugs and issues, I'm splitting off any discussion of future features for Fluff here. This is a list of things I _MIGHT_ work on:
a) User-customizable font size for buttons, view panes, etc.
b) Three-pane mode that would work more like MC
c) Thumbnail view (icons and/or thumbnail images)
d) Temporary command line for a selected file (works as a "one shot" file association)
e) Search through file names, or file content
f) EDIT: Perhaps show MOUNTED or UNMOUNTED status for storage devices and/or better integrate with the TC mount tool
The priority for these will depend on difficulty of implementation, impact on executable size and performance, and opinions on the value of each (i.e. my opinion, influenced by the Core Team and feedback from users). And again I caution people that many or most new features may appear in a "Super Fluff" version that would be installed from an extension so the base version can keep in line with the small, light "core" character of the base system. Plus, I have other software projects for TinyCore in progress or in mind for the future... so major changes to Fluff may not happen very soon. :-\
-
You can copy and paste.
I think it would be a good idea to also have cut and paste.
-
I have mentioned before:
I think it is a good idea to remove "use sudo" to make it more child/mistake proof.
For sudo it can be started with sudo fluff.
-
@Guy: And I mentioned before that you may hand-edit the .fluff.conf file to completely disable and hide the "use sudo" feature. Why is this not sufficient? It seems that if you know enough to launch fluff with "sudo fluff", you should likewise be able to edit the one character in the config file to turn it off or on.
@Everyone: Should I run a poll to see if most users would prefer that "use sudo" be hidden by default?
-
Regarding Cut... I considered this during development because the terminology is common in other apps, but I don't like how it is like telling the computer "delete this, but not *really* because I might paste it, so maybe just hide it or put it somewhere else, but if I never paste it, then you can really delete it".
It's not practical to buffer in RAM all the content of the files that the user may select and 'Cut'. So it requires moving files to some other temporary place, or maybe doing bookeeping to just making the display *look* like the files are gone until the first paste is accomplished. But then: what if the power fails before the FM can actually update the file system? Or the FM crashes, or some other command kills it? The next time the user looks at the files, they won't be how the user intended.
I think it is better to model the Fluff commands on the UNIX command line semantics of cp (copy), mv (move), and rm (remove... i.e. delete). It is cleaner conceptually, reduces opportunities to mess up the filesystem, and simpler to implement.
-
@MikeLockmoore.
Fluff is already a good thing in my opinion. Before any functionality (and bytes) are programmed, the wide needs could be slowly evaluated, and what is already present in other programms!.
Example:
- ftp and filemanager: I use MidnightCommander because it has an ftp and I move the files, too, after "sudo mc -x".
- I start using fluff with the sudo button for file manager.. but it has no ftp
So, personally, fluff in its size and functionality ok for me (hide perhaps a bit more the sudo button) and I need MC complementary to it. Perhaps a short information button, in which programm are further needed functionality (ex "for ftp, see MC or ..."). Perhaps it would be enough?
-
Hi Floppy. I have not considered adding FTP features, at least in the base version of Fluff. Maybe it could be considerd in an expanded "Super Fluff" version. But I don't think many people need a special info button in the main interface. Perhaps I could add a short comment in the Help document about how Fluff lacks FTP integration.
-
b) Three-pane mode that would work more like MC
What about an option to be able to open a new fluff window from within fluff?
As for now, I would start 'fluff &' from an aterm, then when need comes up hit up arrow in aterm and hit Enter to get a new window.
This creates a new PID each time with a similar amout of res mem usage; feasable, but not ideal.
Having several overlapping windows can be an advantage on netbooks, compared to having one static window containing several tiled subwindows.
-
open a new fluff window from within fluff?
Similar to the "Open terminal here" command? That should be easy to do. The only downside I see is that it makes the command menu a little longer and complex. But I'll think about it. ;)
-
Yes, I think similar to the "Open terminal here" command might come handy. :)
-
I found something out yesterday: I tried to change the directory name from "PMAGIC" in "pmagic" but i did not work. I had first to change to PMAGIC_N then into pmagic. Not really ennoying. Just an information.
2 months ago I tried to change a directory name from "#save" into "save" and it did not work. Again, just a remark.
PS: partedmagic as frugall-install did not start in my young box (a kernel error that something was missing for my processor). So, I stay in a deep relationship with TCL+GPARTED ;-)
-
I found something out yesterday: I tried to change the directory name from "PMAGIC" in "pmagic" but i did not work. I had first to change to PMAGIC_N then into pmagic.
Such may be filesystem dependent.
-
I found something out yesterday: I tried to change the directory name from "PMAGIC" in "pmagic" but i did not work. I had first to change to PMAGIC_N then into pmagic.
Such may be filesystem dependent.
directory "PMAGIC" was on a CF and format FAT32
-
tc@box:/mnt/sda3$ touch PMAGIC
tc@box:/mnt/sda3$ ls -l PM* pm*
ls: PM*: No such file or directory
-rwxrwxrwx 1 tc staff 0 May 10 23:21 pmagic
tc@box:/mnt/sda3$
-
Floppy: To extend what tinypoodle posted, Fluff uses the linux/unix "mv" (move) command to rename files and directories. In some file systems, the mv command does not attempt to rename items that only differ by capitalization. I don't plan to code around this limitation. Maybe I can document this "quirk" in the help file.
-
Floppy: To extend what tinypoodle posted, Fluff uses the linux/unix "mv" (move) command to rename files and directories. In some file systems, the mv command does not attempt to rename items that only differ by capitalization. I don't plan to code around this limitation. Maybe I can document this "quirk" in the help file.
a help info is fine. we dont want to have a FatyCoreLinux.
-
Floppy, All: The Core Team decided to remove Fluff from the Base system for future releases. See here: http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php?topic=9502.msg52380#msg52380 (http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php?topic=9502.msg52380#msg52380)
I will start to submit Fluff as an installable extension. So from now on, I can be a little more liberal with features and code size... although I still want Fluff to be very light and fast compated to alternatives. C'est bon-n'est pas?
-
Oui maître. And: leave fluff as extension in the basic TCL iso. A file manager is very usefull for installation.
-
It would be GREAT if:
fluff forced renaming of files only differing by capitalization. I use TC as music server and it is a real pain having to disconnect the hard drive to correct song or artist name titles on an XP machine. Remember the basis concept behind windows platforms is WYSIWYG
Also I LOVE sudo button just where it is.
Would love to have dual pane layout like nautilus.
Thanks.
-
It would be GREAT if:
fluff forced renaming of files only differing by capitalization. I use TC as music server and it is a real pain having to disconnect the hard drive to correct song or artist name titles on an XP machine. Remember the basis concept behind windows platforms is WYSIWYG
Looks like that is rather a matter of Linux (fs driver) than of a particular userspace app.
You might want to have a look at mtools if perhaps there is such an option.
-
Mike--
I'm sorry that Fluff has been dropped from the TC base. I now use the version in TC 3.5 as my only file manager (except when I turn to MC for filename searches). I have NO problems at all with Fluff and no complaints. It is a very fine little file manager.
-
OldAdamUser2: Thanks for your kind words. Please consider trying fluff_upgrade.tcz to go to version 1.0.0 and later and let me know if you have issues. I'll continue to develop Fluff as my time allows.
As for Tiny Core base, the Core Team is not afraid to experiment a bit (such as adding Fluff), nor retract and revise earlier decisions. This helps keep Tiny Core small, efficient, and fast, which I think almost everyone here appreciates.
Perhaps you've seen this thread, where I offer another, even smaller prototype file manager: http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php?topic=9807.0 (http://forum.tinycorelinux.net/index.php?topic=9807.0). Maybe it will be seen as appropriate for Tiny Core base in the future.
-
@MikeLockmoore
I must add my opinion. I am also very sad that fluff was cut off from TC base. It is nice and very useful and important have any FM in TC base. I hope it will be back in TCB, fluff again or dirwin in the future.
And also sudo buton is VERY GOOD feature, leave it where it is!
Thank you for your work.
-
@-tri-: That is nice to hear. :)
-
-tri- wrote "And also sudo buton is VERY GOOD feature, leave it where it is! "
That was the feature that allowed me to get TinyCore working on my computer and on my challenged level of knowing what to do. So please keep it in. Very handy to use.
-
Don`t know if this thread is still active. Kinda looks like it isn`t.
Fluff being a local file browser I don`t know how important ftp is, but it`d be nice.
It`s a file browser so it should do most things needed for working with files.
Dragging and dropping between the dir. and file panels is very important !!!
# All of this is best done in a right-click context menu.
1) Mount and unmount, drive partitions and loop mount files.
2) Compress and extract archive type files.
3) Set file extension associations for the file.
4) Cut, Copy, and Paste on the context menu.
-
Hello SunBurnt. Thanks for your interest. I've not worked on Fluff actively for several months, but I would like to do several updates/additions to Fluff when I can find the time, along with workin on other apps. ;)
Some comments on your suggestions:
(0) A few others have mentioned FTP and can see some value in it, but it would take more code to fully integrate than I want to invest right now. Maybe after some other features I think will have greater utility to a wider variety of users.
1) I've mentioned mount/unmount as something I'd like to do. It would be nice if people with more knowledge of mountable filesystems and how they specifically work in TC can help me when I get to that point.
2) You can configure your own application associations to do this. I've done so before. I think you should be able to find an example I've posted.
3) Not sure what you mean... Change the name of the file so it ends with a different extension? You can already do that. Add or modify the file-type recognition patterns so you can distinguish and run specific apps for them? You can do that too, within some constraints. Please review the help file and post specific questions/issues if you can't do what you want. Maybe I or another user can help, or better understand how the current system could be improved.
4) There are right-click context menu items for Copy and Paste. I know Cut is common in other apps, but Delete and Copy+Paste cover the two usage scenarios for Cut and allow a simpler, cleaner implementation. This is important in a FM that tries to be lean.
-
Hi MikeLockmoore; Yes, ftp isn`t a high priority at all...
You didn`t say anything about drag-n-drop. MOST importantly from file box to dir. tree.
Going the other way isn`t so important, one direction can move and copy both files and dirs.
Mount is simple to use and needs no "-t ( fs type )" in it`s command, it`ll figure it out on it`s own.
In my experience adding the fs type won`t help mount over come a difficult mounting situation.
So here`s the shell commands to mount partitions:
mkdir -p /mnt/$1
mount /dev/$1 /mnt/$1
umount /mnt/$1And here`s the shell commands to mount loop files:
MntPt=`echo $1 | sed "s#/#+#g"`
mkdir -p /mnt/$MntPt
mount /dev/$1 /mnt/$MntPt
umount /mnt/$MntPtThe sed command changes the image files path delimiters "/" into "+".
So this: /path/to/imageFile Becomes this: +path+to+imageFile
Now you have a mount point named after the image file`s path and name.
I know Fluff is probably written in C, but I only know a little C.
It`s the best way I can describe it to you. Ask if you need to know more.
I work with a Basic to C converter I like a lot called BaCon... Cheers... Terry
-
SunBurnt:
You didn`t say anything about drag-n-drop. MOST importantly from file box to dir. tree.
Going the other way isn`t so important, one direction can move and copy both files and dirs.
Fluff does do that kind of drag and drop. Did you miss it somehow? Maybe make sure you do: 1) click + release, (to select a file/directory item)
then
2) click + drag + release,
then
3) reply to the copy/move prompt.
You can also select multiple files and directories first before dragging to a directory in the left-side tree.
I can and do use similar mount commands myself in the terminal shell. That is an interesting tip to convert the path into part of the mount point filename. I'll keep that in mind when I work on new features.
-
if there was one overwhelming feature request for fluff, I'd had to say it is undoubtedly this,
How about an option to turn off the feature which constantly refreshes the window contents after a file copy. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to constantly be searching with the scroll bars for your last working location after every single drag n' drop maneuver. Please..
Double please and thank you :)
-
Another glitch I noticed with fluff;
When ever I copy a file name into a rename space, I usually end up with an extra file (copy) of the original file where the name originated.
I often create new files then copy the name from an existing file to it then modify it like +1 etc. Unfortunately after pasting the name into the yellow (name change) space and pressing enter, the name change succeeded but we also get a copy of the original file, which now need deleting.
?
Please if you get a minute to track that one down would be much appreciated.
-
While we're here,
there is another glitch where at least 50-70% of the right window is lost when resizing with the intent to enlarge the viewable area. Which kinda defeats the purpose. Once the fluff window has been coarsely re-sized to the desired position (this is when the window is lost) it requires only a couple very small re-size adjustments to fix the viewable area.
-
coreplayer2: Thanks for posting your feedback and suggestions.
I can see that doing a Ctrl+V to paste a name during renaming also triggers a file copy to happen. I will try to fix this.
The refresh behavior is so that you can see the fact that the dropped/pasted files quickly in the window. I made an effort in my most recent code to preserve selection and current scroll position in the destination directory window after the updates. I'm not sure I understand why do you need to search with the scroll bars. Can you provide a little more detail? Are you dropping a large number of files? I'd like to better limit the amount of flicker that window refresh causes, but I think you are having a more substantial issue.
What do you mean that "at least 50-70% of the right window is lost when resizing"? That part of the window is completely blank? So far, I can't reproduce it. Are you using the FLWM window manager or something else?
-
Well this is 100% reproducible on all 20+ machines I use, both VM and real PC's. fluff is the only app effected. Ctrl+Alt+M does not share this effect. Occurs when dragging the right side window edge, lower right corner or window divider bar in a rightwards direction.
Note the effect occurs less in real PC's and is more often reproduced when moving the divider bar to the right.
Anyhow this is only a minor issue.
(http://db.tt/yj4DmCRB)
and from another pc
(http://db.tt/RuylSVDo)
other really awkward effects also only associated with fluff is the use of a Bluetooth mouse + keyboard on a live machine in which the mouse only controls are reversed, ie: selecting and holding a mouse button down brings up the desktop menu, then one has to scroll to the desired menu item then release the button for selection. holding down the mouse button while finding the menu item is required or the menu will vanish. lol really confusing to use i can assure you.
am using flwm_topside almost exclusively (albeit a copy of Fluxbox around here somewhere).
Note: Updated with corrected info.
-
coreplayer2: Thanks for the pictures and extra information. I may have seen that window size issue before, but I don't think it happens nearly so often for me. I will try to reproduce and troubleshoot it however.
Also, do you have any more description about losing your place after a drag-n-drop or copy-and-paste? Such as a list of steps I might try so I can reproduce the behavior that is frustrating you?
Good news on the renaming / copying issue: I have implemented a fix that seems to work. It will be in the next public release. Do you compile Fluff from source or do you run it as an extension? If you are willing to beta-test the next version before it's posted to the repository, PM me and we can make some arrangement.